NSW to stage 2025 regional music summit

The NSW Government has announced that the state will play host to the 2025 Regional and Remote Music Summit.

Established to ensure the seven million people living in regional and remote Australia are in the mix of the nation’s music industry, the inaugural Regional and Remote Music Summit was held earlier this month in Darwin.

NSW Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham today confirmed that NSW will host next year’s event. Sound NSW and Music Australia will jointly support MusicNSW to host the 2025 summit, with a contribution of $100,000 each.

Minister Grah advised “rebuilding our regional touring ecosystem will benefit regional and remote communities, as well as the artists living in there.

“This event will play an integral role in reshaping the music industry. I’m encouraged that what begins in Darwin will build momentum next year in NSW, as we collectively work to tackle the challenges facing regional and remote touring for contemporary music.

“It’s through engaging directly with artists, policy makers and industry leaders that we can understand both the barriers and opportunities for regional stages.”

Head of South NSW, Emily Collins said the focus on regional music, and supporting the regional touring circuit, was a priority of its upcoming strategy. Sixteen participants representing NSW regions, leaders, including 12 from regional NSW and eight First Nations people, were supported to attend this year’s Forum.

Collins noted “we’re honoured to be hosting next year’s Regional and Remote Music Summit, and looking forward to providing a meeting place for leaders and artists at the forefront of Australia’s music industry to focus on regional and remote touring.

“Regional and remote Australia offers great opportunities for the music industry, and music has an important role to play in building and strengthening communities all across the country, no matter how big or small. Dialogue and collaboration between artists and industry like this generates a powerful catalyst for growth, best-practice initiatives and solutions to challenges and rapid change.”

Advising that the organisation was delighted to take the baton from Music NT to deliver the next summit, MusicNSW Managing Director, Joe Muller stated “in a context of accelerated sector change and challenges, we recognise the vital importance of developing music activity in regional and remote music communities

“This event will bring together the brightest minds in Australian contemporary music to connect and collaborate across three days of discussions which provoke the question, how can we support regional and remote music communities in NSW and Australia to truly thrive?”

The dates and location for the 2025 Summit will be announced later this year.

Image: The inaugural Regional and Remote Music Summit in Darwin. Credit: Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis for MusicNT.